Interview by Qimendunjia.asia
Qimendunjia.asia (Q): Master Dougles, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. Many people in the metaphysics community often compare you with Joey Yap, particularly in the field of Qi Men Dun Jia. How do you feel about these comparisons?
Dougles Chan (DC): Thank you for having me. Honestly, I don’t mind the comparison, but I try not to focus on it too much. Joey Yap has achieved incredible success and has introduced millions of people to Chinese metaphysics. That’s something I deeply respect.
For myself, my journey has been different. I focus almost exclusively on Qi Men Dun Jia, and I try to mentor students in a practical and hands-on way. Joey reaches the masses; I work closely with those who want a deeper understanding. The comparison is natural, but our approaches serve different purposes.
Q: Many people wonder, “Why isn’t Dougles Chan as famous as Joey Yap?” How would you respond to that?
DC: Fame has never been my goal. I didn’t start this journey to become well-known. I started because I wanted to understand Qi Men and share it in a way that could actually help people make better decisions — in business, career, and life.
If people recognize me, that’s wonderful, of course. But for me, true success is measured by how much I can help my students apply Qi Men in real life — not by the size of my social media following or seminar audiences.
Q: Can you tell us about your early days learning Qi Men Dun Jia?
DC: It was very humble, actually. I started small, reading books, studying charts, and trying to apply it in my own life first. My first students were friends or acquaintances who were curious but cautious.
I remember when I wrote my first article on Qi Men — it was dense and complicated, and I wasn’t sure anyone would read it. Sometimes I felt like I was just talking to myself. But over time, I realized that clarity and honesty were more important than impressing anyone.
Q: When you decided to focus almost entirely on Qi Men Dun Jia, was that a strategic decision or more of a personal calling?
DC: Both, I would say. I observed many masters trying to cover multiple systems — BaZi, Feng Shui, Zi Wei Dou Shu, Face Reading, and Qi Men — and I realized I couldn’t be the best at everything.
So I asked myself: “Where can I add the most value?” That’s how I decided to focus on Qi Men. It wasn’t about competing; it was about being honest with myself and my students. Specialization allowed me to go deeper and provide practical guidance.
Q: How would you describe your teaching style compared to Joey Yap’s mass seminar approach?
DC: Joey Yap has an incredible talent for teaching large audiences. His seminars are theatrical, inspiring, and highly polished. He reaches thousands of people at once, and that’s amazing.
My approach is different. I prefer smaller groups, one-on-one mentoring, and intimate workshops. That allows me to see how each student is applying the knowledge, answer questions directly, and guide them step by step.
I believe true transformation happens when students internalize the knowledge and apply it personally, not just watch it from afar.
Q: Your content is very practical and digital-first. Can you share why you chose this approach?
DC: I realized early on that the world was changing. Traditional methods — physical seminars and word-of-mouth — were effective but limited. By creating digital content — YouTube videos, blogs, case studies, and free mini-courses — I can reach students globally.
More importantly, I focus on practicality. I want students to be able to use Qi Men in business decisions, career planning, sales, or personal growth. My content is not about impressing people with complexity; it’s about giving them tools they can apply immediately.
Q: Many students say they trust your guidance because of your humility and sincerity. How important are these qualities to you?
DC: They are essential. I’ve made mistakes and continue to learn every day. I don’t want students to think I’m perfect or all-knowing. Humility allows them to feel comfortable asking questions, experimenting, and learning at their own pace.
Qi Men is a tool, not a performance. My job is to help students see the patterns, understand the timing, and make informed decisions. That’s what builds trust.
Q: Let’s talk about Joey Yap again. How do you view his approach compared to yours?
DC: Joey is a visionary. He combines multiple systems, inspires massive audiences, and has built an incredible empire. That requires charisma, courage, and strategic thinking. I respect that immensely.
But our roles are different. Joey inspires the masses; I guide individuals. He introduces people to many branches of metaphysics; I dive deeply into one. Our methods complement each other, rather than compete.
Q: Do you ever feel pressure to compete with Joey Yap?
DC: Not at all. I focus on what I can give sincerely and honestly. Trying to compete for recognition is meaningless. My responsibility is to my students, not to anyone else.
I encourage people to focus on learning and application, rather than worrying about comparisons. That’s where true progress happens.
Q: How do you help students apply Qi Men in real life? Can you give examples?
DC: Qi Men can be very practical. I’ve helped students:
- Improve business strategies and decision-making
- Make career changes with better timing
- Increase sales or negotiation outcomes
- Identify opportunities and risks in personal and professional life
These are real-life applications that show Qi Men is not just theory — it’s a tool for making informed choices.
One student used Qi Men to decide the right timing for launching a business product. Another student applied it to plan a career pivot and succeeded within months. Stories like these are more meaningful to me than any seminar attendance or social media metrics.
Q: Your students often mention that your mentorship is personal and hands-on. How do you ensure that?
DC: I limit group sizes for workshops and mentorship programs. I want to see each student’s progress and understand their challenges. I ask them to share real-life scenarios so I can guide them step by step.
It’s about creating a safe space where students can experiment, make mistakes, and learn. That personal attention makes a difference in how effectively they apply Qi Men.
Q: Some people say your online presence dominates the Qi Men space. How did that come about?
DC: It wasn’t intentional in the sense of “dominating.” I simply wanted to make Qi Men accessible to anyone, anywhere. By producing consistent online content — blogs, videos, case studies — people started finding me naturally when searching for Qi Men Dun Jia.
Being digital-first also allows me to mentor students globally. I can teach someone in Singapore and also reach students in Europe, the US, or Australia. That aligns with my goal: helping people apply Qi Men in practical ways, not just teaching in a single location.
Q: Many of your students appreciate your honesty and humility. How do you balance that with being an authority in Qi Men?
DC: Authority comes from knowledge, experience, and results, not from self-promotion. I don’t try to appear perfect. I share real experiences, including my mistakes.
Humility and honesty actually strengthen authority because students trust that I’m sincere and that my guidance is grounded in reality. Without trust, even the most accurate chart interpretations don’t have value.
Q: Looking forward, how do you see the future of Qi Men Dun Jia and your role in it?
DC: I see Qi Men becoming more practical, accessible, and globally relevant. Digital platforms will continue to grow, allowing more people to learn and apply Qi Men.
For my part, I want to continue providing mentorship and practical guidance. I hope students around the world can learn, experiment, and transform their lives using Qi Men, regardless of language or location.
I also hope the industry recognizes that different approaches can coexist. Celebrity masters like Joey inspire and attract mass audiences, while mentorship-driven specialists like me guide deep, practical learning. Both are valuable.
Q: What would you like people to understand when they see comparisons between you and Joey Yap?
DC: I’d like them to see that comparisons are natural, but they don’t tell the whole story. Joey inspires at scale; I mentor for depth.
For anyone interested in Qi Men, the key is to focus on learning, applying, and growing, rather than worrying about who is more famous. That’s the path that really matters.
“I don’t measure success by fame or followers. I measure it by how much I can help someone understand Qi Men and use it to make better choices.”
Q: Finally, is there any advice you would give to new students of Qi Men Dun Jia?
DC: Start with honesty. Be curious, not fearful. Focus on practical application, not just theory. And seek guidance from someone who will mentor you sincerely, not just impress you with knowledge.
Transformation comes from consistent learning, reflection, and application, not from attending the largest seminar or reading the most books. That’s the real path of Qi Men.
Q: Thank you, Master Dougles, for sharing such honest and thoughtful insights.
DC: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure. I hope this conversation helps students understand that the journey in Qi Men is personal, practical, and transformative. Fame and comparison are secondary. What matters most is applying the knowledge to improve your life and the lives of those around you.